London Drugs one of many conferences in town

Company presidents cites Whistler’s ‘special magic’

London Drugs is coming to town. And not just to open a store
but for a two-part conference at the Telus Conference Centre and Fairmont
Chateau Whistler that will attract 1,000 participants from Sept. 30 to Oct. 14.

The first conference, to Oct. 7, will focus on high tech
audio-visual gear and computers. The second conference, from Oct. 9 to 14,
highlights health and beauty products.

The company’s president said the conference is not only a
chance for London Drugs’ staff to be introduced to suppliers’ new product lines
but is also an opportunity for out of area suppliers to get to know Whistler.

“It’s important corporately that they get some of that special
magic of Whistler,” said Wynne Powell. “If the vendors feel good about the
experience they help us achieve even better success. And it exposes Whistler to
a number of visitors that would not necessarily come but once they see it will
often return for their own personal vacations.”

London Drugs’ conference, which has booked 4,000 room nights in
Whistler over two weeks, is just one this summer that has contributed to a 37
per cent increase in group bookings to Whistler compared to 2005. July saw the
largest conference this year with U.S.-based Oracle Software booking 8,454 room
nights in the village.

July was a record month for Whistler hotel room bookings, up 27
per cent over the same month in 2005 and 11 per cent higher than July, 2000,
the previous all time high. Tourism Whistler expects the final tally for summer
2006 to be 14 per cent above 2005.

Powell, who has been with the company for 24 years, says the
conference isn’t just about educating staff about new products, it’s also about
celebrating long term staff service. London Drugs has one of the lowest staff
turnovers of major Canadian retailers and Powell said one event will be a
retirement party for a staffer who’s been with the Vancouver-based company for
41 years.

“There are so many people that have over 20 years or more with
London Drugs we have trouble getting them in the conference to have dinner at
one time,” he said.

London Drugs has been holding its annual conference in Whistler
for almost 10 years. Powell says it’s Whistler’s affordability and welcoming
attitude that keeps the company coming back.

“Being a family company we feel very comfortable in Whistler,”
Powell said. “The community has always been friendly to our group.”